3iQ receives In-Principle approval for Category 4 licence
13 October 2026 UAE
Image: joemanjiarts/stock.adobe.com
3iQ, a provider of digital asset investment solutions, has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) for a Category 4 licence from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) for its regional sister firm, 3iQ Middle East.
The Category 4 licence will allow 3iQ Middle East to arrange deals in investments and provide advisory services on a non-custodial and non-discretionary basis in the region.
The approval forms part of 3iQ's broader aim of being “regulated and present in all the major digital asset hubs globally”.
The IPA follows 3iQ’s partnership with UAE-based digital asset investment manager Further, enabling institutions to access digital assets through 3iQ’s Managed Account Platform.
The firm’s Middle East arm is led by Rachel Pether, who joined 3iQ in 2023, prior to which she served for almost a decade in the capital markets and treasury team at Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor Mubadala.
Speaking on the authorisation, Pascal St-Jean, CEO of 3iQ and Coincheck Group, says: “As a first mover in the provision of innovative digital asset investment solutions, and along with our partnership with Further Asset Management, 3iQ looks forward to cementing a presence in the region, starting with the Abu Dhabi Global Market.”
Pether comments: “Ever since 2023, when we established a footprint in the UAE, 3iQ has taken steps towards becoming the leader in the region with our proven track record of attracting sovereign wealth and institutional capital to digital assets.”
Arvind Ramamurthy, chief market development officer at ADGM, adds: “This milestone reflects the increasing interest from international firms in ADGM's dynamic digital asset ecosystem, underpinned by a progressive regulatory framework and a growing community of global and regional market participants.”
The Category 4 licence will allow 3iQ Middle East to arrange deals in investments and provide advisory services on a non-custodial and non-discretionary basis in the region.
The approval forms part of 3iQ's broader aim of being “regulated and present in all the major digital asset hubs globally”.
The IPA follows 3iQ’s partnership with UAE-based digital asset investment manager Further, enabling institutions to access digital assets through 3iQ’s Managed Account Platform.
The firm’s Middle East arm is led by Rachel Pether, who joined 3iQ in 2023, prior to which she served for almost a decade in the capital markets and treasury team at Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor Mubadala.
Speaking on the authorisation, Pascal St-Jean, CEO of 3iQ and Coincheck Group, says: “As a first mover in the provision of innovative digital asset investment solutions, and along with our partnership with Further Asset Management, 3iQ looks forward to cementing a presence in the region, starting with the Abu Dhabi Global Market.”
Pether comments: “Ever since 2023, when we established a footprint in the UAE, 3iQ has taken steps towards becoming the leader in the region with our proven track record of attracting sovereign wealth and institutional capital to digital assets.”
Arvind Ramamurthy, chief market development officer at ADGM, adds: “This milestone reflects the increasing interest from international firms in ADGM's dynamic digital asset ecosystem, underpinned by a progressive regulatory framework and a growing community of global and regional market participants.”
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